Festival Events

The Greek War of Independence officially began in March 1821. After nearly 400 years of Ottoman occupation, Hellenes (Greeks) came together and, with help from the Philhellenes, won their independence.

This production tells the story of the Revolution through a cultural lens.

Music, dance, art and literature all function as chronicles of the struggle for independence, relating personal stories about its impact.

What people wore symbolised their identity and attachment to their region; but once the nation of Hellas (Greece) was formed, a national costume was created to represent the new nation and a new identity.

Date: Sunday 2 April

Start time: 3.00 pm

Venue: Prince Henry Centre, 2 Coast Hospital Rd, Little Bay

Ticket: $20 adult $10 children

Booking details: 0416 655 561 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A tribute to the writer and thinker Nikos Kazantzakis — author of Zorba, Christ Recrucified, Spiritual exercises and a modern Odyssey — marking sixty years since his death.

The event will focus on a presentation of two books on Kazantzakis by our guest speaker Howard Dossor, and will include brief talks by Vasilis Adrahtas and Zdenko Zlatar, with readings by Christine Kanellakis.

Presented by the International Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis (Sydney Branch) under the Festival’s auspices. Refreshments kindly provided by the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW.

Date: Saturday 1 April

Start time: 4.00 pm

Venue: Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe

Ticket: Free

Contact: 9750 0440 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Milk bar and café counters were meeting points between Greek-Australians and British-Australians.

“I’ll meet you at the Greeks” became a popular phrase in many Australia cities and country towns during most of the 20th century – the Greek-run café and milk bar offered a familiar meal, American milk shakes, sodas, ice creams and milk chocolates, amidst the dazzle and sparkle of architectural glamour also from the USA.

But behind the smiles, behind the counters, what was life like for the Greek proprietors and their families? Led by café researchers Leonard Janiszewski and Effy Alexakis, a panel of distinguished Greek-Australians who grew up in Greek cafés and milk bars, will attempt to reveal insights into this question.